Lion of Sparta (1963 Dell) Movie Classics comic books 1963-1965

Version with ad on back cover. Photo cover features Richard Egan. Story by Paul S. Newman, based on the screenplay by George St. George. Art by Gerald McCann. Cover number is #12-439-301. Dell Movie Classics presented comics based on Hollywood films (not all of them classics). This issue is based on the 1962 film The 300 Spartans, the first film version of the Battle of Thermopylae (four decades before Frank Miller's 300); Lion of Sparta was its working title. During the Battle of Thermopylae, Spartan King Leonidas attempts to hold the Pass of Thermopylae with 300 men against Persian forces with vastly superior numbers. The resulting battle is still legendary in military history. Plus an article about Spartan discipline. Lion of Sparta; Spartan Discipline. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Variant with "Armor" filler on back cover. Photo cover features Richard Egan. Story by Paul S. Newman, based on the screenplay by George St. George. Art by Gerald McCann. Cover number is #12-439-301. Dell Movie Classics presented comics based on Hollywood films (not all of them classics). This issue is based on the 1962 film The 300 Spartans, the first film version of the Battle of Thermopylae (four decades before Frank Miller's 300); Lion of Sparta was its working title. During the Battle of Thermopylae, Spartan King Leonidas attempts to hold the Pass of Thermopylae with 300 men against Persian forces with vastly superior numbers. The resulting battle is still legendary in military history. Plus an article about Spartan discipline. This variant features a one-pager about armor of the era, instead of a back cover ad. Lion of Sparta; Spartan Discipline; Armor. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.